A Lebanon man was arrested Monday, Nov. 15, after the Lebanon Police Department received reports of a seriously injured 2-year-old boy at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.
According to a news release, the child was first taken by the mother’s boyfriend, 26-year-old Patrick Michael Decker, to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital on Sunday. The youth was then transported by air ambulance to Portland later that day.
Police said Decker’s initial explanation for the child’s injury was suspicious. The Lebanon Police Detectives Unit contacted and interviewed the suspect in Portland, where he admitted to causing the serious injury. Decker was taken into custody without incident and lodged at Linn County Jail for first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Glover with the Lebanon Police Department at 541-451-1751, Ext. 4326.